Towers of delight: H-Town restaurants serve up spectacular seafood

The seafood tower at Julep comes with a bottle of sherry.
Photo by Julie Soefer

Newly opened Prohibition serves both Gulf and East Coast oysters.
Photo by William Hardin

Eleven Eleven keeps things cool with liquid nitrogen.
Courtesy photo

Vallone's serves its assortment on a custom platter.
Photo by Julie Soefer

Caracol's tower includes the restaurant's signature roasted oysters.
Photo by James Heard

Currently, Vic & Anthony's tower costs $92.
Courtesy photo

Del Frisco's has options for two or four people.
Courtesy photo

Liberty Kitchen serves for a $65 and a $140 version of its tower.
Courtesy photo

Consider the lobster. It's just one of many items typically found on an iced seafood tower. Yes, that staple of '90s dining has always been a fixture at steakhouses, but the collection of oysters, shrimp, crab and more is having a bit of a resurrgence at some of 2014's hottest new bars and restaurants.

Liberty Kitchen and Oysterette executive chef Travis Lenig, who serves both $65 and $140 iced seafood platters, has a theory about why the dish has become so popular recently. "(It) offers a variety of seafood and a great way for guests to interact with their group and a way to splurge on a visually exciting menu item while enjoying the fruits of the sea," he writes in an email.

Looking for something more decadent? Chef/owner Mark Holley's three-tier "Holleywood" tower includes two ounces of Royal Siberian caviar and two bottles of Delamonte Brut champagne.

"We don't make a lot of money on it," chef/owner Bryan Caswell explains. "In order for something like that to be successful, it's got to move."

Looking for something a little more decadent? Over at Holley's, chef/owner Mark Holley's three-tier "Holleywood" tower includes two ounces of Royal Siberian caviar and two bottles of Delamonte Brut champagne for an eye-popping $400. Of course, someone could put together a tower-style tasting from Holley's selection of oysters, ceviches, crudos and raw items, but that wouldn't be as much fun.

Find even more options below with recommended beverage pairings. Happy eating and drinking.